Molded plastic automotive window panel and method of installation

Abstract

A molded plastic window panel and method for locating and guiding the window panel to a final position in a window opening in an automotive vehicle body structure, with locator guide features molded integrally in a window panel perimeter portion projecting toward corresponding complementary locator guide features on the body structures. The perimeter portion may be molded as an outer piece separate from a main transparent section with the locator guide features integral therewith, the outer piece bonded to the main section to form a unitary panel. The outer piece may be molded from an opaque plastic to provide a masking black out border and an adhesive joint used to permanently mount the window panel in the body structure window opening. The locator guide features may comprise resiliently deflectable elements such as fingers or tabs on one part engaging complementary features on the other part to urge the window panel into a properly located position on the body structure.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An automotive glazing installation for a window opening in an automotive body structure comprising: 
       a generally planar main panel piece constructed of a transparent plastic;  
       an outer perimeter piece of molded plastic extending about said main panel piece and unitary therewith;  
       at least one locator guide feature integrally formed on said outer perimeter piece and projecting from a rear face of said outer perimeter piece;  
       a corresponding locator guide feature on said automotive body structure configured to receive said locator guide feature projecting from said outer perimeter piece;  
       one of said locator guide features comprising a cylindrical array of resiliently and radially deflectable fingers and the other locator guide feature on comprising a hole able to receive said cylindrical array of resiliently and radially deflectable fingers.  
     
     
       2. The installation according to  claim 1  wherein said outer perimeter piece is molded from an opaque plastic and bonded to said main panel piece. 
     
     
       3. The installation according to  claim 1  wherein each of said deflectable fingers has a sloping end surface engagable with an edge of said hole. 
     
     
       4. The installation according to  claim 3  wherein said deflectable fingers further include an undercut behind said sloping end surface captured by a portion of said automotive body structure adjacent said hole after said plurality of deflectable fingers pass into said hole. 
     
     
       5. An automotive glazing installation for a window opening in an automotive body structure comprising: 
       a generally planar main panel piece constructed of a transparent plastic;  
       an outer perimeter piece of molded plastic extending about said main panel piece and unitary therewith;  
       at least one locator guide feature integrally formed on said outer perimeter piece and projecting from a rear face of said outer perimeter piece, a corresponding locator guide feature on said automotive body structure configured to receive said locator guide feature projecting from said perimeter piece;  
       one of said locator guide feature on said outer perimeter piece comprising a projecting post, and said other locator guide feature comprising an array of deflectable elements adapted to be resiliently separated to accommodate a tip of said post.  
     
     
       6. The installation according to  claim 5  wherein said deflectable elements comprises a series of radially convergent tabs defining an opening smaller than said tip of said post, said tabs resiliently deflectable to receive said post into said opening. 
     
     
       7. The installation according to  claim 5  wherein said deflectable elements comprise segments of a slotted tube affixed to said automotive body structure.